We hope this weekend is the last of this cool weather, but luckily, things are heating up around the city with plenty to do for everyone. Wine and dine at Charlotte Food & Wine Week, hit the first After 5 event in SouthPark, venture outdoors at Tuck Fest, and celebrate Earth Day with friends and family.
FEATURED EVENT ~ Charlotte Food & Wine Week
The 35th annual Charlotte Food & Wine Week kick off with the opening of a week-long Online Charity Auction followed by an array of restaurant vintner dinners. Tickets are still available to the signature walk-around Grand Tasting on Saturday night featuring 100+ carefully selected wines, tastings from Charlotte-area restaurants, and live music. Don’t Miss It!
THINGS TO DO WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19
JLC Happy Hour
Wednesday, April 19, 6:30 – 8p
Curious about the Junior League of Charlotte? Head over to their JLC Happy Hour this week to meet and greet at the tables outside of Billy Sunday.
THINGS TO DO THURSDAY, APRIL 20
SouthPark After 5
Thursday, April 20, 5p
Head to Symphony Park for Charlotte’s newest weekly happy hour and free entertainment night. Jam out to live music on the green, sip on adult beverages, enjoy delicious food, and shop from local vendors. This week, 20 Ride – Zac Brown Tribute will be performing. The six week concert series will be held every Thursday through May 25 – click here to view the full lineup.
Sip & Sculpt – Build your Own Beer Stein or Coffee Mug
Thursday, April 20, 6 – 8p
Have you ever wanted to create your own beer stein or coffee mug? Well now’s your chance! Laura Holling Kaplan, master clay sculptor, will guide you through hand-building steps and show you texture techniques to allow you to create your very own clay stein or mug. The class will be held at The Market at 7th St. and includes all the supplies you need and one free beer, wine, or coffee. Save your spot here.
Visit Lexicon Gallery’s Grand Opening exhibit GARDEN OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS
Tuesday— Thursday 10a – 5p. Friday 10a – 6p. Saturday 11a – 6p
Just in time for spring and in honor of Earth Day, Lexicon’s Grand Opening exhibit is a celebration of the human experience in the Garden of Earth. Paying homage to Dutch Renaissance visionary Hieronymus Bosh, the inaugural exhibition is a lush, vibrant, sensual contemporary spin on Bosch’s Garden, featuring 13 artists and two international fashion designers. GARDEN OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS is open now through July 1, 2023.
THINGS TO DO FRIDAY, APRIL 21
Tuck Fest
April 21 – 23
Celebrate your love of the outdoors during this weekend-long festival at USNWC! Enjoy a variety of competitions and demos on land and water, visit with vendors who specialize in outdoor adventure, enjoy a drink, live music and much more.
OMB’s unFOURseen Spring Fest
April 21 – 23
Spring into the new season at OMB’s Spring Fest, a weekend dedicated to celebrating the return of warmer days. Come and enjoy live music, good food, and beer – featuring the unFOURseen IPA.
BOOM Charlotte
April 21 – 23
Experience the best of the best in visual art, theater, music, dance and more at BOOM Charlotte. As one of the largest, most diverse, multidisciplinary creative gatherings in Charlotte, the festival will feature all mediums from chalk art to classical music, aerial dance to slam poetry, and everything in between. All events take place at Camp North End with only indoor venue performances requiring a ticket for entry. View the full schedule here.
Ballantyne Movie Night
Friday, April 21, 5 – 9p
Ballantyne movie night is back in celebration of Earth Day. Gather at Ballantyne’s Backyard for a special showing of Finding Nemo. Food and drink vendors open at 5 p.m. while the movie will start at sunset. Purchase your movie tickets here.
EARTH DAY CELEBRATIONS
Earth Day Campout at Anne Springs Close Greenway
April 21, 4:30p – April 23, 10a
What better way to celebrate the great outdoors than by experiencing nature firsthand with a camping trip! Enjoy Earth Day activities during the day before cozying up in your sleeping bag at night. Stay for the whole weekend or just one night! All ages are welcome.
Earth Day Rail Trail Clean Up
Saturday, April 22 starts at 10 am New Bern Light Rail Station
This is a pet and family friendly event. Registration is FREE and will take place in person anytime from 10am – 11am at the New Bern Light Rail Station. All supplies will be provided by @kcb_clt and the first 100 Volunteers will receive a custom event drawstring bag.
The Volunteer Appreciation Event following the Clean Up will be hosted by @theunioncharlotte from 12pm – 1pm. All Volunteers (21+) will receive a free drink ticket and chances to win raffle prizes from over 30 local businesses.
Earth Day Greenway Walk & Stream Clean
Saturday, April 22, 10a – 12p
Join friends for a greenway walk and stream clean along Campbell Creek Greenway. Meet at the Hindu Center of Charlotte at 10 a.m. sharp with a water bottle in hand and any extra gloves or litter pickers you may have. Oh, and did we mention there will be donuts?!
South End Rail Trail Cleanup
Saturday, April 22, 10a – 1p
Help keep Charlotte beautiful by joining volunteers as they pick up litter around the Rail Trail. Afterward, enjoy raffles, swag, and a free drink at the volunteer appreciation event held at The Union. RSVP for a spot in the cleanup here.
Plant a pot at IKEA
Saturday, April 22, 11a – 2p
Celebrate Mother Earth at IKEA by picking a plant to purchase and letting them provide the pot. This promotion is open to IKEA Family Members only. Reserve your spot for the event here.
Wing Haven Earth Day Celebration
Saturday, April 22, 1 – 5p
Enjoy a stroll through Wing Haven’s beautiful gardens with FREE admission in honor of Earth Day. Self-tours through the three public gardens,oeducational information, and children’s scavenger hunts will be available.
While supplies last, take home a free tree sapling provided by our friends at Bartlett Tree Experts.
Earth Day Celebration at Myers Park Library
Saturday, April 22, 5 – 6p
Make your own miniature garden in a mason jar at Myers Park Library in celebration of Earth Day! Recommended for school age children and preteens ages 5-12.
THINGS TO DO SATURDAY, APRIL 22
Book Signing with Madison Letts at The Buttercup
Saturday, April 22
Head to one of the cutest boutiques in town for a book signing with Charlotte native Madison Letts. I DON’T WANT YOU TO REGRET ANYTHING is Letts debut memoir about love, loss and creating hope and purpose.
The 10th Annual Charlotte African American Festival
Sat, Apr 22 – Sun, Apr 23, 10a – 6p
Celebrate the rich heritage and accomplishments of African-Americans at the 10th Annual Charlotte African American Festival, held at the Second Ward Gymnasium in Uptown. Expect to see exhibits, musical performances, art, literature, food, dancers, a pageant, speakers, vendors, special awards, and more. The festival is free to the public with proceeds raised supporting educational and cultural programs.
South End Farmer’s Market at Atherton Mill
Saturday, April 22, 8a – 1p
There’s just something about strolling through the farmers market on a Saturday morning that we love. Head to Atherton Mill every Saturday to find everything from local produce to fresh fish to handmade pasta, and so much more. With live music on one end and a string of local farmers and creatives along the trail, this hub boasts the energy we need to kick off a great weekend.
2023 Crowntown Throwdown
Saturday, April 22, 11a – 5p
InReach’s 7th annual charity cornhole tournament will be held at Lenny Boy Brewing Co. this Saturday, and is sure to be a good time. The event will include close to 300 cornhole players (NO Professionals, please), live music by The Abbey Elmore Band, 2 food trucks, and over $20,000 in live and silent auction items. Players are guaranteed three games. The talented winners will receive Yeti Tundra coolers.
The Standard with Harvey Cummings II
Saturday, April 22, 12 – 1p
An unforgettable experience! Master class instructor Harvey Cummings II will be at Harvey B. Ganyt Center to engage with the band as they trace the story of America’s classical music – jazz – in a live performance workshop, a Q&A session, and interactive musical demonstrations. The afternoon is free to attend but reservations are still required.
THINGS TO DO SUNDAY, APRIL 23
Charlotte Walk of Hope
Sunday, April 23, 10a – 12p
Show your support for Charlotte’s infertility warriors and kick off National Infertility Awareness Week at the annual Walk of Hope. This year, the walk will be held at The Barn in the Village in Mint Hill. Following the walk will be a chance to meet the sponsors and take part in raffles and activities.
Kids Jellyfish Terrarium
Sunday, April 23, 11a – 12p
Come create a stunning, ocean inspired jellyfish terrarium with the help of the PlantHouse crew! This workshop is recommended for ages 6+; parent supervision is required.
Telling Difficult Histories
Sunday, April 23, 3p
Join Duke Mansion for the Rosalie Reynolds EXPLORE HISTORY! series presented by Wells Fargo. Legacy Commission chair Emily Zimmern will give an update on the Mayor’s task-force on street renaming. Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation Director W. Lee Jones discusses on-going work at the Latta historic site. Be sure to reserve your spot here.
